US7326198B2 - Remote release instrument holder for surgical use - Google Patents

Abstract

An instrument holder (10) for surgical use has a remote locking mechanism (12) and is elongated having a proximal end (14) and a distal end (16). The holder (10) has an elongated shank (20), a ring (22), a locking component (28) and a spring (32). The elongated shank (20) is equipped, at the distal end (16), with a head (26) adapted to receive an instrument (24). The locking component (28) is substantially cylindrical, elongated and is biased in a first direction (30) toward the head (26) by a spring (32). The locking component (28) includes structures (34) capable of locking the instrument (24) onto the distal end (16). The ring (22) is biased by the spring (32) in a second direction (36) against the locking component (28) towards the proximal end (14) constrained to slide longitudinally on the shank (20), at the proximal end. The remote locking mechanism (12) permits releasable connection to the shank (20) and is engaged by rotation of the ring (22) such that release of the ring from the shank allows the spring (32) and locking component (28) to slide freely off the shank in order to permit cleaning of the instrument holder.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of a continuation Ser. No. 10/391,464, filed Mar. 18, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,056,317, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 09/902,369 filed on Jul. 9, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,540,739 which in turn is a continuation of Ser. No. 09/602,341 filed Jun. 24, 2000 and now U.S. Pat. No. 6,264,647 issued Jul. 24, 2001. Priority is claimed to U.S.provisional application 60/527,748 filed Dec. 9, 2003. The contents of the above applications and patent are incorporated herein by reference thereto and relied upon.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an instrument holder for a surgical instrument, comprising a shank equipped with a head designed to receive an instrument, and an annular locking component mounted so as to slide about the shank, under the head, equipped with locking means which cooperate with the head so as to lock the instrument on the head, and pushed against the head by a helical spring.

An instrument holder of this type is known in particular from U.S. Pat. No. 5,658,290 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,236,433, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

A surgical instrument, for example for preparing for the fitting of a hip prosthesis, works in a medium which causes considerable soiling of the instrument and the instrument holder. Moreover, a surgical instrument holder must be cleaned very frequently and very carefully in order to avoid any risk of infection. However, cleaning of surgical instruments is difficult, in particular cleaning of the space between the shank and the locking component on account of the presence of bone debris and coagulated blood.

Still further, surgical procedures in total hip replacement are becoming more focused on being minimally invasive. The incision is reduced to a minimum possible for the implant size (50 mm in some cases). One such procedure involves the insertion of an acetabular reamer through one incision and the reamer holder through another incision. In larger patients, the current release mechanisms are in the patient's body or too close to it to be operable. With small incisions, the problem is compounded. Further, passing the reamer into the wound can be difficult with the handle attached. Surgeons may wish to remove the reamer in the wound (in the acetabulum) to verify, size, bone condition and eventual implant orientation. Such features require that the surgeon be able to connect and disconnect the tool remotely, from an actuator that is outside the patient's body. In larger patients, the present release mechanisms are in the wound or inaccessible. Again, with small in incisions the problem is compounded.

What is needed therefore is an instrument holder that is simple to disassemble for cleaning without special tools, and which a surgeon can operate remotely, installing or removing a reamer or other tool in situ, while the tool is inside a cavity or incision in the patient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An instrument holder for surgical use is provided which has a remote locking mechanism and is elongated having a proximal end and a distal end. The holder has an elongated shank, a ring, and a locking component. The elongated shank is equipped, at the distal end, with a head adapted to receive an instrument. The locking component is substantially cylindrical elongated and is biased in a first direction toward the head by a spring. The locking component includes structures capable of locking the instrument onto the distal end. The ring is biased by the spring in a second direction against the locking component towards the proximal end constrained to slide longitudinally on the shank, at the proximal end. The remote locking mechanism permits releasable connection to the shank and engaged by rotation of the ring such that release of the ring from the shank allows the spring and locking component to slide freely off the shank in order to permit cleaning of the instrument holder.

The object of the invention is to provide an instrument holder that is simple to disassemble for cleaning without special tools, and which a surgeon can actuate remotely, that is remote from the distal end which holds the tool) thus enabling the installation or removal of the reamer or other tool in s, while the tool is inside a cavity or incision in the patient, even a large patient for which the distance from an portion of the holder that a surgeon may grip is considerably displaced from the tool engaging end in the cavity.

To this end, the instrument holder according to the invention has a quick release head which holds the instrument and a locking mechanism which is remote to this quick release head. This improvement over the prior art is realized by simply increasing the length of the locking component in order to move the locking mechanism back away from the attachment head, and then inserting a handle in the form of a sleeve over the elongated portion of the locking component. Further, compared to the prior art, the diameter of the shank is increased and constructed as a tube in order for the diameter to more closely correspond to a diameter required of the handle for ergonomic handling and operation.

The fastening and release of the ring takes place instantaneously, which represents a time savings. This makes it possible to ensure that a complete kit of instruments is not rendered unusable because a single component becomes inoperative.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The attached drawing shows an embodiment of the invention by way of example.

FIG. 1A is a side view of the instrument holder of the invention.

FIG. 1B is a side, cross-sectional view of the instrument holder of the invention.

FIG. 1C is a detail cross-sectional view of the remote release mechanism of the invention.

FIG. 1D is a detail view of the remote release mechanism of the invention.

FIG. 1E is a detail view of an alternate embodiment of the remote release mechanism of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an instrument for use with the invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a central drive shaft and locking component of the invention.

FIG. 4A is a side view of the head of the invention.

FIG. 4B is a cross sectional side view of the head of the invention

FIG. 4C is a front view of the head of the invention.

FIG. 4D is a perspective view of the head of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a kit of the invention.

FIG. 6A is a side, cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6B is a detail view ofportion6B, the remote locking mechanism of the invention, shown inFIG. 6A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Referring now toFIGS. 1A-1D, theinstrument holder10 for surgical use has aremote locking mechanism12, is elongated having aproximal end14 and adistal end16 at opposite ends thereof. Theholder10 has an elongatedshank20, aring22, and alocking component28. Theelongated shank20 is equipped, at the distal end, with ahead26 adapted to receive an instrument24 (shown inFIG. 2) and is configured essentially identically to the head described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,658,290, the content of which is incorporated by reference. Thelocking component28 is substantially cylindrical, elongated and is biased in afirst direction30 toward thehead26 by ahelical spring32. Thelocking component28 includes structures34 (shown inFIG. 2) capable of locking theinstrument24 onto thedistal end16. Thering22 is biased by thespring32 in asecond direction36 against the lockingcomponent28 towards theproximal end14 and is constrained to slide longitudinally on theshank20, at the proximal end. Thering22 is affixed to theshank20 by aconnection device29. Theremote locking mechanism12 permits constrained connection to theshank20 via theconnection device29 which is engaged by rotation of thering22. Disengagement of the ring from the shank allows thelocking component28, thespring32 and thering22 to slide freely off the shank in order to permit cleaning of the instrument holder.

Referring now toFIG. 3, theremote locking mechanism12 preferably includes abayonet connection device29 in which thering22 is equipped with abayonet pin42 placed so as to enter into abayonet slot44 and settle into abayonet recess46. Tworecesses46 are preferably provided, diametrically opposed on opposite sides of theshank20, to facilitate assembly.

The lockingstructures34 of thelocking component28 are located on thedistal end16 and consist ofpins34 which mount in a face plate50 which is fixedly attached to acentral tubular component52 of the locking component. On aproximal end14, the lockingcomponent28 has a raisedstructure54 of the form of a frustocone, in order to permit easy gripping by a user, enabling him to push the component back against the force of thespring32, to remotely release theinstrument24.

Referring again toFIGS. 1A and 1B, anelongated grip56 is slidingly disposed over the lockingcomponent28 for gripping theholder10, in a manner that permits sliding of the grip off of the locking component for ease of cleaning and component sterilization. Alongitudinal slit56ais provided in thegrip56 which allows the grip to elastically deform and expand so as to slide over the raisedstructure54 when disassembling theholder10 for cleaning, and is sized so that when compressed such that adjacent surfaces56bof theslit56atouch before the inner diameter of the grip bears on the tube. Optionally, the inner surface of thegrip56 includes two diameters, one larger proximal diameter, of a size enabling thegrip56 to slide over the raisedstructure54 without disturbing it and the other distal diameter of a size that retains the grip on thelocking component28, being removable therefrom with only a slight elastic deformation. This better enables the operator to control theinstrument holder10 without inadvertently activating theremote locking mechanism12.

In an alternate embodiment, theshank20 has an elongatedcavity60 extending through theholder10 from thedistal end16 to theproximal end14, to permit evacuation of debris. Theholder10 typically holds acutter24 which, when cutting, generates cutting debris (not shown).

Referring now toFIGS. 4A to 4D, thehead26 bas acentral recess60bwhich defines acrown66 around this recess. Thiscrown66 has four bayonet catches70 diametrically opposite in pairs. Theinstrument24 is fixed and locked in thecatches70 by theannular locking component28. Thepins34 are parallel to each other, are aligned parallel to theaxis72 of theshaft20 and pass through thehead26 in order to close the bayonet catches70 aroundelements74 of theinstrument24, as is described in '290 patent.

Referring now toFIG. 1C, the lockingcomponent28 slides on theshank20. Also arranged around thisshank20, at theproximal end14, remote from thehead26, is thespring32 which engages the raisedstructure54 of thelocking component28 and bears against this locking component. Starting from the disassembled position shown inFIG. 2, and in order to assemble theinstrument holder10, the lockingcomponent28 is brought under thehead26, engaging its lockingfingers34 throughholes26ain the head. Then, thespring32 is slid over theshank20. Then therug22 also slides on theshank20, and is equipped internally withradial studs42 that are captured inbayonet slots44, thus permitting the ring to move axially along theshank20, and eventually into thebayonet recess46, when the ring is turned in a manner directed inFIG. 1D. Be means of thering22, thespring32 is pushed against the lockingcomponent28 and compressed while, at the same time, thering22 is turned in a counterclockwise direction until itsstud42 engages in thebayonet catch46 or respectively in one of the bayonet catches, in which the stud is biased by thespring32. Thering22 captures the functional components of the assembly together. The assembly of theinstrument holder10 is completed by thegrip56, made of a flexible plastic material and having alongitudinal slit56aalong its side, so as to permit the grip to bias open and slide past the raisedstructure54 onto theshank20. Note that thegrip56 may be placed over the lockingcomponent28 as a first step in the assembly process as well. Theinstrument holder10 is then ready for use. The raisedstructure54 provides a grip for the thumb and index finger for pulling thelocking component28 back counter to the action of thespring32 in order to release anyinstrument24 that might be fixed on thehead26.

Conversely, in order to disassemble theinstrument holder10, it suffices to first push thering22 forward toward thedistal end16 counter to the action of thespring32. This removes the wedging bias on thepins42 into the bayonet recesses46, and permits the surgeon to rotate the ring out of therecesses46, in line with thebayonet slots44. Now the surgeon is able to slide thering22,spring32 and thelocking component28 off of thespindle20.

Unlike the prior art, theactuation mechanism12 is remote from thehead26 which holds theinstrument24. This is accomplished essentially by increasing the length of thelocking component28 in order to move thelocking mechanism12 back away from theattachment head26, and then placing thegrip56 over the elongated portion of thelocking component28. The diameter of theshank20 is increased and constructed as a tube in order for its diameter to more closely correspond to the diameter of thegrip56.

As is shown inFIG. 3, thecomponents22,28, and32 can be completely removed from theshank20.

Referring now toFIG. 5, akit80 of the invention is shown, including theinstrument holder10 and an assortment ofinstruments24 conveniently organized in acase82.

Referring now toFIG. 6A-6B, in an alternate embodiment, thegrip56′ is rigidly affixed to thelocking component28′ and may include a raisedportion54′ at theproximal end14, which aids a user in gripping the locking component to urge the component back against the force of thespring32. Thegrip56 may be insert-molded onto thelocking component28. The raisedportion54′ is preferably frustoconical. Further, in another alternate embodiment not separately shown in the drawings but represented by the threading58 shown in this figure, thegrip56′ may be threaded onto thelocking component28 and locked in place, in any known fashion.

In an advantage, aninstrument holder10 is provided that is simple to disassemble for cleaning and then reassemble without special tools, quickly, which represents a time savings.

In another advantage, aninstrument holder10 is provided that a surgeon can operate remotely, installing or removing a reamer or other tool in situ, while the tool is inside a cavity or incision in the patient.

In another advantage, the ability to quickly disassemble theinstrument holder10 makes it possible to ensure that a complete kit of instruments is not rendered unusable because a single component becomes inoperative.

Although illustrative embodiments of theinvention10 have been shown and described a wide range of modification, change and substitution is contemplated in the foregoing disclosure and in some instances, some features of the present invention may be employed without a corresponding use of the other features. Note that use of thehead26 and thefingers34 is only one example from all the possible means for connection of an instrument Further, thering22 could also be attached to theshank20 by screwing that is to say, having ascrew thread29′ (shown inFIG. 1E) in the ring which matches a thread on the shank Accordingly it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention.

Claims (15)

1. An instrument holder (10) for surgical use having a remote locking mechanism (12), the instrument holder having a proximal end (14) and a distal end (16), the holder comprising:

(a) an elongated shank (20) equipped, at the distal end, with a head (26) capable of receiving an instrument (24);

(b) a spring (32);

(c) a substantially cylindrical, elongated locking component (28) biased in a first direction (30) toward the head by the spring (32) and including structures (34) capable of locking the instrument onto the distal end; and

(d) a ring (22) biased by the spring (32) in a second direction (36) against the locking component (28) towards the proximal end (14) and constrained to slide longitudinally on the shank (20), at the proximal end (14), the ring (22) having a connection device (29) which locks the ring to the shank, wherein the ring (22), spring (32), locking component (28) and connection device (29) make up the remote locking mechanism (12) and permit releasable connection to the shank such that release of the ring from the shank allows the spring (32) and locking component (28) to slide freely off the shank in order to permit cleaning of the instrument holder.

2. The instrument holder (10) ofclaim 1, wherein the remote locking mechanism (12) is a bayonet mechanism (22,42,44,46).

3. The instrument holder (10) ofclaim 1, wherein the remote locking mechanism (12) is threaded engagement by a thread (29′).

4. The instrument holder (10) ofclaim 1, wherein an elongated grip (56) is loosely disposed over the locking component (28) for gripping the holder, in a manner that permits sliding of the grip (56) off of the locking component (28) for ease of cleaning and component sterilization.

5. The instrument holder (10) ofclaim 4, wherein the grip (56) includes a raised portion (54) at the proximal end (14), which aids a user in gripping the locking component (28) to urge the component back against the force of the spring (32).

6. The instrument holder (10) ofclaim 5, wherein the grip (56) has a longitudinal slit (56a) allowing the grip to elastically deform and expand so as to slide over the raised portion (54) when disassembling the holder (10) for cleaning.

7. The instrument holder (10) ofclaim 4, wherein the grip (56) is rigidly affixed to the locking component (28).

8. The holder (10) ofclaim 7, wherein the grip (56) is insert-molded onto the locking component (28).

9. The instrument holder (10) ofclaim 7, wherein the grip (56) includes a raised portion (54) at the proximal end (14), which aids a user in gripping the locking component (28) to urge the component back against the force of the spring (32).

10. The instrument holder (10) ofclaim 9, wherein the raised portion (54) is frustoconical.

11. The instrument holder (10) ofclaim 7, wherein the grip (56) is threaded onto the locking component (28).

12. The instrument holder (10) ofclaim 11, wherein the grip (56) includes a raised portion (54) at the proximal end (14), which aids a user in gripping the locking component (28) to urge the component back against the force of the spring (32).

13. The instrument holder (10) ofclaim 12, wherein the raised portion (54) is frustoconical.

14. The instrument holder (10) ofclaim 1, wherein the shank (20) has an elongated cavity (60) extending through the holder from the distal end (16) to the proximal end (14), to permit evacuation of debris through the holder from the distal end which is typically a cutting end where cutting generates debris.

15. A kit (80) for surgical use, the kit comprising:

(a) An instrument holder (10) for surgical use having a remote locking mechanism (12), the instrument holder having a proximal end (14) and a distal end (16), the holder comprising:

i. an elongated shank (20) equipped, at the distal end, with a head (26) capable of receiving an instrument (24);

ii. a spring (32);

iii. a substantially cylindrical, elongated locking component (28) biased in a first direction (30) toward the head by the spring (32) and including structures (34) capable of locking the instrument onto the distal end; and

iv. a ring (22) biased by the spring (32) in a second direction (36) against the locking component (28) towards the proximal end (14) and constrained to slide longitudinally on the shank (20), at the proximal end (14), the ring (22) having a connection device (29) which locks the ring to the shank, wherein the ring (22), spring (32), locking component (28) and connection device (29) make up the remote locking mechanism (12) and permit releasable connection to the shank such that release of the ring from the shank allows the spring (32) and locking component (28) to slide freely off the shank in order to permit cleaning of the instrument holder;

(b) at least one instrument (24); and

(c) a case (82).

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